Switch mechanism for selective signals



Dec. 28, 1926.

E. G. BALCH SWITCH MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVE S IGNALS Original Filed .Jan. 9. 1924 M IIIlll/A m INVENTOR NEY Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- EBEN G. BALCH, OF NEWBURYPOBT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM F. DECIE, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS.

SWITCH MECHANISM FOR SELECTIVE SIGNALS.

Continuation of application Serial No. 685,099, filed January 9, 1924. This application filed August 20, 1924. Serial No. 733,117.

This invention relates to indicators or selective signal mechanisms for various purposes but adapted particularly for use on road vehicles for indicating to persons the intention of the driver of the vehicle respectinfgt stopping, turning to the right, or to the The invention relates especially to that type of direction indicators shown, described, and claimed in my copending application, Serial No 685,099, filed January 9th, 1924, and of which application in part this present specification is a continuation. For the convenience of any reader of both sp\ecifications the reference characters employed in this specification are similar to those employed in connection with similar parts in the parent case.

Among the particular objects of this present specification and invention is to provide level and unusually convenient manually controlled switch mechanism withineasy reach of the driver of the car, whereby he not only controls the selective signal means at either the front or the rear or both of his machine, but also the illumination of the signal devices and'the switch devices at the same time.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and while the invention is not restricted to the exact details of construction disclosed or suggested herein, still for the purpose of illustrating a practical embodiment thereof reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate the same parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation ofa fragment of an automobile showing my switch mechanism applied to the steering post.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the controller mechanism with the switch lever in normal position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the steering post on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, in-

dicating'the switch casing in plan.

Fig. '5 is a sectional detail on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 .is a diagram of the lamps, wiring,

and switch lever in so far as they pertain to the switch casing and rear signal casing.

Fi 7 is a view similar in nature to Fig. but s owing a modification in which but a single pilot lamp is employed.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the switch lever and the single pilot lamp carried thereby.

Fig. 9 is a diagram corresponding to the structure of Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings I show a steering wheel 10 journaled in a steering post 11 and back of which it is presumed that the driver of the car is seated facing forward toward the left.

As set forth in the parent case above referred to signal 'casings are provided at the front and rear of the machine, the one at the rear being provided with signal lamps R, S, and L pertaining respectively to right turn, stop, and left turn, and as set forth in the parent case the signalmechanism is controlled from the operators hand by suitable mechanism including a connection 18. This connection 18 is shown associated with a switch casing 22 located at any convenient place and preferably clamped as -at 23 upon the post 11 just below the wheel and extending preferably to the left thereof for ma nipulation by the operators left hand. The 1 connecting member 18 is indicated as journaled at 24 within the casing for rotation around an axis parallel to the post and is formed for this purpose with a head 25 from which extends laterally a lug or enlargement 26. The main switch lever 27 is pivoted to this extension 26 and 28, the axis of which is transverse to the axis of the head 25. A.

spring 29 acts upon the lever 27 tending to hold it elevated in a T-slot 30 formed along the face of the casin top and bottom faces 0 the casing. The slot midway between its ends is provided with a downward extension 30 into which the lever isadapted to be swung against the force of the sprin 29. Without swinging the lever downward, however, it is adapted to swin either to the right for a right turn of the machine or to the left for a left turn, and obviously when swung either to the right or to the left it can not be swung downward until it is returned to normal mid position.

The switch lever is maintained in normal 22 parallel to the position by any convenient mechanism such as a spring-pressed plunger 33 snapping into any one of the series of notches or holes 33 formed in the head 25. Movement of the lever corresponding to the right and .left turns respectively are indicated on Fig. 4 by the arrows at and?) respectively.

In order to make the signal mechanism most noticeable and valuable and also to enable the driver to be fully aware that the proper signal is being displayed, companion lighting devices are employed for the signal mechanism and the switch mechanism. Accordingly for the three main signal lamps R, S, and L, I provide pilot lamps 1', s, and Z, arranged in respective circuits therewith.

A wire 34 leads from the battery 35 or other source of energy to and through the lever 27, the lever being arranged to make contact at36', 36 and 36 according to whether a right turn, stop, or left turn signal is to be given. According to the illustrations in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the three pilot lamps 1', s,

and 1am located in corresponding compartments in the upper portion ofthe casing 22. For the lamps 1- and Z are provided the contacts 36' and 36 respectively, preferably of the type shown in Fig. 5, each being adapted to be engaged by contact shoe 38 carried by the lever 27 and having a pit 38 formed therein for reception of the point portion of the contact to assist the detent 33 in holding the switch lever in the right or left turn position. From the lower side of the lever projects a lug 37 adapted to be forced between the blades of the spring contact 36 the grip of the contact spring serving to hold the switch lever down so long as the stop indication is to be made manifest.

In the modified form of Figs. 7, 8, and 9 the switch casing 22 is not subdivided for a plurality of pilot lamps, and hence I provide a single pilot lamp 0 common to all the signal lamps. This lamp 0 is carried by the v extension 26 to which the lever 27 is jointed M 28 and is surrounded by 'a shell 40 whose open top moves close along the under surface of the top transparent late of the casing, the sides of the shell being opaque. By this means the light from the lamp 0 is alseparate contacts 36 36, and 36, substantially similar to those above described and associated in circuit with the main signal lamps S, R, and L, respectively. A wire 34 has constant connection between the lever 27 and the lamp 0, and so while the lever 27 makes contact with any one of the selective contacts 36 36 and 36, the circuit is completed through the lamp 0 and the corresponding signal lamp R, S, or L. The arrangement of the T-slot 30 and 30 and the corresponding movements of the lever are the same in both formsof the invention.

I claim: I

Switch mechanism for stop and other signals comprising, in combination, a casing having a window, an element pivotally mounted for movement along a plane approximately parallel to said window, a switch arm pivoted on said element for movement at an angle to said window, contacts engageable by said switch arm, said casing having a T-slot to guide the switch arm to move parallel to or at an angle to said window to engage the respective contacts, a lamp borne by said element, and a shell surrounding said lamp and borne by said element to effectively reflect all the light thereof through said window, the

lamp and the shell being movable in ap- EBEN e. BALCH. 

